Sleeping well

Sleeping is a subject that have been talked a lot about in the media lately, because we, apparently, are too busy to get the sleep we need nowadays. "It's so important that you sleep at least 9 hours at night" they say, but sadly without saying exactly why it is so important for us. So that's what this post is about: why it really is that we need all this sleep.  

We need to sleep because it have lots of benefits for both our heart, weight and mind. A lack of sleep can result in ADHD like symptoms. Especially younger children tender to get hyperactive when they don't get the sleep their bodies need. Both children and adults with a lack of sleeping tender to be more impulsive and inattentive. People with a constant lack of sleep have better chances of getting diabetes and depression, and will most likely experience a weight gain. Beside that, sleep effects the cholesterol, so getting sleep will help you to avoid a heart disease. Also if you think you're stressing a bit around, a good way of calming down is to literally calm down and get some sleep. This because our health stress and our sleep is almost the same. 

Sleeping will also, as said, benefit your mind. Sleeping will simply improve your memory! When you're sleeping your mind isn't on pause as many may think. Actually it's way more busy than when you're awake! While sleeping your mind "practice" skills that you have learned when you were awake and that way sleep strengthens your memory. Studies show both that you will performe better after sleeping (so make sure to nap before making your homework!) and that sleep helps you getting creative, meaning that you will have way easier picking up the pencil and start painting after having slept. 

Getting the sleep your body needs will help you keep a healthy weight. When you have slept studies have shown that the body tend to be less hungry and this will make it easier for you to stay away from the fridge. This because sleep and metabolism is controlled from the same place in the brain and when you're walking around, all sleepy, certain hormones will be activated and these are the hormones that control your appetite. 

Hope this has helped you to see why sleep really is that important for us as they say in the media and hopefully you will  now do a little more to make sure you get enough sleep! There is no magical number of hours you need to sleep, because it's different from person to person how much sleep the body needs. But as a guideline I can tell you that 12 to 18 year-olds needs about 8 1/2 to 10 hours of sleep at night while people over the age of 18 needs 7 1/2 to 9 hours. 

Sleep well!

xx Emma